I am a frequent traveler for business and pleasure, both domestically and internationally. Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of travel knowledge, most of which was learned by trial and error. I am often asked for travel tips, and I do my best to share as much as I can. In this article, I have distilled down my top ten tips for travel. I hope that at least one piece of advice is useful to you.
1. Get rid of your checked bags
This tip will change your life. Travelers who have been on the road for a while know to avoid checking their bags as much as possible. One of the most common problems is losing luggage. It also limits your flexibility. If you have to change flights, or miss connections, having a bag checked becomes a burden.
What about longer trips, though? I can spend up to a month in Asia using only a carry on and my computer bag. Doing laundry while on the road is key. You can let your hotel do the laundry in countries that offer affordable services. If that is not an option, look for hotels with guest laundry facilities. Außerdem, whenever possible, invest in clothes that dry quickly and don’t wrinkle. I use soap sheets and wash them in the sink or bathtub. After washing them, I wring them manually, wrap them up in a towel rolled up, sit on top of them and hang them. They’ll be dry by morning if they are quick-drying.
2. Create a travel uniform
It’s up to you how you choose to dress for travel, but a uniform can be very helpful. I like to look neat but also be comfortable. I always wear lightweight pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt (no matter the weather), slip-on shoes and ankle-length socks. This allows for any swelling of my legs during long flights. Opt for accessories that are non-metallic, such as a plastic buckle on your belt.
3. Embrace air tags
My travels have been revolutionized by air tags. One is attached to my laptop bag, another to my carry-on and a third to a keyring. When I’m at home, I use it for my keys. But when I’m traveling, I attach it to everything I don’t wish to leave behind. It’s good to always know where you are, especially in case something is stolen, left behind or you didn’t adhere to recommendation 1.
4. Create a travel schedule
You should try to maintain as many of your home routines as possible while traveling. I have a travel routine that is based on my home routine, and I follow it with rigor. You can adapt your morning and evening routines as well as exercise routines and time-blocking to suit your travels.
You may not be able stick to your usual routines depending on your travel needs and routines. However, I recommend creating a travel-friendly routine that highlights your top priorities and is flexible to accommodate your normal travel arrangements.
5. Choose direct flights
Direct flights are a great way to save time. The time it takes to make connections can quickly add up for frequent travelers. Murphy’s Law applies to travel, so choose direct routes when possible. If direct flights are not available, choose the most direct route possible unless it is cost prohibitive. Prioritize busy airports to ensure more flights and routes are available in the event of a problem.
6. Fly Early or late
If you have a tight deadline to meet, consider booking early flights. Early flights have a lower risk of delays and offer more options in the event that problems arise. When I’m attending an important event, I book at least one flight later to ensure that I can arrive on time.
Late flights are also advantageous if you’re heading home or if the timing isn’t as important. I schedule early dinners near the airport, and then fly out afterwards. This saves me money on hotel rooms and allows me to get back to my bed later that evening.
Early and late flights are often cheaper than flights during the day.
7. Book early and recheck
This advice is applicable to hotel rooms, airline tickets and rental cars. Booking as early as you can is a good idea. Then, set up a schedule for reevaluating your choices periodically in the lead-up to your trip. I booked my flight to Montana for a trip in November, and set reminders every few weeks to check the status. You can usually modify your flight free of charge if you have airline status. If the new flight costs less, you may even receive a credit. You can cancel your flight, get a credit for travel, and then rebook if the price of your original flight drops.
8. Book directly with Airlines/Hotels
When you are ready to book, while tools like Google Flights or Kayak can be great for finding deals and exploring your options, I suggest booking directly with the airline, hotel, or rental company when you have a specific date in mind. Bookings made through third parties often have restrictions, which can prevent you from receiving status benefits and making changes or refunds without hassle.
9. Stock up on travel-sized duplicates
Travelers should keep a supply of duplicates in travel sizes for their personal care items. These duplicates will make packing easier and reduce the chance of forgetting important items. I go one step further and have duplicates of everything including toothbrushes, razors, etc.
After returning from a vacation, I make sure to replenish my toiletries so they are always available at a moments notice.
10. Do not forget to duplicate important documents in case of emergency
It is important to protect critical documents when traveling. These documents are often stored together and can be a disaster if lost. Imagine you lose your wallet while traveling abroad. You could end up losing your passport, your money, your credit cards and much more. To reduce this risk, you can:
Photocopy important documents, such as your driver’s licence, passport and visas. Store these copies somewhere different from where you keep the originals. Because I usually have my documents with me or in my bag, I keep the copies in my carry on.
Keep a digital copy of the documents in your phone. This will provide a backup if your phone gets lost.
This can be done by obtaining additional forms of ID, such as a picture state issued ID, in addition to the driver’s licence. This can be done with any government-issued ID (preferably one that has a photo)…student IDs, government employee IDs, concealed carry permits, etc. This secondary ID is useful in the event of a lost or stolen primary ID.
Separate your primary funds from any cash or extra cards. As an emergency backup I carry $100 US dollars in $5 and $10 bills and the equivalent local currency. This is true even in countries that are less likely to use cash.
Bonus Tip:
If you find yourself worrying about forgetting something, keep in mind that there are only a handful of items that can’t be replaced at your destination.
1) You will need to provide your identification and any necessary documents for entry.
2) Access to funds or money.
3) Prescription drugs.
If you cover these essentials, there will be some inconveniences, but they won’t become disasters.